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2 triplogs
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Oct 28 2023
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 Guides 27
 Routes 681
 Photos 12,245
 Triplogs 865

56 male
 Joined Jul 05 2006
 Mesa, AZ
Maricopa Trail - Buckeye to WestarSouthwest, AZ
Southwest, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 28 2023
DarthStillerTriplogs 865
Hiking18.35 Miles 658 AEG
Hiking18.35 Miles   7 Hrs   23 Mns   2.63 mph
658 ft AEG      24 Mns Break
 
Partners none no partners
This most recently built segment of the MT is a very lengthly one that rivals the AZT passages. I did the approach from the west side in Buckeye 2 years ago and now that the weather is cooler I decided to do another long out and back from the east side, starting from the FINS park in Westar.

My goal was to go out to at least 9.5 miles and turn around. Then I discovered that I made a wrong turn at a junction with the trail and some other jeep roads and got off trail for a good half mile before I realized my error. Once I got back on the MT I still went a little further west just to get my mileage up, but I was aggravated that I made that mistake and the junction was rather erroneously labeled. Actually, the poor marking of the critical junctions of this trail have been a recurring theme since I made the push to complete this trail nearly 4 years ago.

the first part of the hike was through the FINS park, then southbound to the first road, then to the 2nd road which the trail follows to the north, and then through another remote neighborhood before it heads further west. Really not much to see out here other than once you get past the roads and neighborhoods. Where I turned around was probably some the best scenery there was to offer.

I made a route to follow on the Route Editor from following the MT maps and the satellite photos, but once I was in the FINS park, there was one sign that indicated that the MT took another route. I have not hiked that segment of the trails in that park, that's for another hike to finish those trails off. I also still have to strategize how to get to that middle part of this segment from the dozens of jeep trails on the west side.

Glad I got the extra mileage today since i'm planning on doing some more extensive excursions of the AZT trail since I started this
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  1 archive
Nov 06 2021
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 Guides 27
 Routes 681
 Photos 12,245
 Triplogs 865

56 male
 Joined Jul 05 2006
 Mesa, AZ
Maricopa Trail - Buckeye to WestarSouthwest, AZ
Southwest, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 06 2021
DarthStillerTriplogs 865
Hiking16.44 Miles 797 AEG
Hiking16.44 Miles   6 Hrs   12 Mns   2.86 mph
797 ft AEG      27 Mns Break
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
This was recently posted as completed on the Maricopa County website, but it doesn't appear really complete. Most of it is jeep roads that are designated as the trail. 4 to 5 miles in east of the Buckeye Regional Park TH, the signs are obvious. Before that, you need to have a GPS track. The first 3 miles from Buckeye RP walking on the roads is pretty obvious. After going thru the culverts under 85, its dicey for a bit. Follow the wash to the gate along the barbed wire fence, then follow the seriously faint trail that parallels the wash, and eventually head north. The MT hooks up with some local biker trails, the main one of which is called the Madd Bird Trail, but it's not obvious where this actually occurs. You're best bet is to hike the wash until you see the trail cross it, then turn left and follow the trail. Even after that it's confusing until you get to the dirt roads.

Because of the ambiguity of this section, I think it might be best to wait until they maybe build some of this section out so you don't get lost. On top of that, this area has a lot of target shooters very close to the trail, which can be a bit unnerving at times. This was the first hike where the shooters outnumbered the hikers, bikers, and trail runners combined.

I hiked 8.2 miles in and turned around. I wanted to do more, but had some other chores to take care of. Good thing, because my feet were pretty sore by the end. Weather was a bit warm at the end ,but not too bad. I'll try to finish this for the GPS track from the Westar side, but the in between section will be hard to reach. Scenery is typical Sonoran desert semi urban, dirt roads and whatnot.
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average hiking speed 2.74 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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